The NEA Foundation understands that the best way to help students learn is to help teachers teach. From bringing the alphabet to life with puppets, to showing students how germs spread, teachers have great ideas that are sure to inspire their students.

Too often teachers lack the resources to bring ideas like these to life. The NEA Foundation has partnered with DonorsChoose.org to give teachers and their students a helping hand.

Read on to find out who will receive The Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence, $10,000, and recognition as the nation’s top educators at the NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Gala in Washington, D.C. They are:

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What You’re Saying

“When students see that teachers are interested in helping them push through... it makes them actually want to get through it.”Austin Shaw, Greensburg, PAStudent at Greensburg Salem High SchoolCROSS-SITE CONVENING

“Our project was designed to address an issue we began to see— the adults did most of the talking in classrooms. Our goal was to improve learning by increasing student engagement.”
Team members, West Springfield, MAMichael Richard, Michelle Davis, Kathleen Hillman, Sue Wilson, Anne Charron, Ellen Pichey, Amy Smith, Nancy Farrell INSTITUTE FOR INNOVATION IN TEACHING & LEARNING

“Our ELL students staged their own 'Tips for Gardening' puppet shows… I couldn’t be prouder of what the students have accomplished through this work.”Arlene Costello, Pensacola, FLNEA Foundation grant recipient and educator at Ensley Elementary SchoolGRANTS TO EDUCATORS

“I say to all my teacher colleagues out there… Every child needs a champion and it’s up to us to be that champion.”Terri Butts, Columbia, SCNEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence recipient and curriculum specialist at Richland 2 Child Development CenterAWARDS GALA

“Advancing the profession and helping educators increase student achievement is at the very core of what we do.”Crystal Brown, College Park, MDThe NEA Foundation Board Chair & Chief Communications Officer at University of MarylandBOARD OF DIRECTORS

“If you spend more in schools on the education of children who have fewer socioeconomic advantages, you do better as a country…That is what shot [other countries] up in the rankings.”Linda Darling Hammond, Stanford, CAC.E. Ducommun Professor of Education, Stanford Graduate School of EducationUNIONS & DISTRICTS RESOURCES

“Public education is nothing short of bending the arc of the moral universe toward justice with each student that we teach.”Harriet Sanford, Washington, DCPresident & CEO, The NEA FoundationSTAFF